Clubs
The definitive dancefloor directory
mica
53h
The 805 Matchbox B-Line Disaster
As Club Olum comes to T on the Fringe, David Pollock checks out the intriguing
club/gig combination.
iven that it‘s on a bill which also includes the
likes of Franz Ferdinand. the Pixies and the
Prodigy. you‘d think ()lum wouldn’t be one of T on the Fringe's main priorities. Yet the fact it’s there at all is most certainly a good thing. signposting the month—long Festival‘s diversification away from simply touring bands in a familiar gig-going environment.
Not only is it a club night (in lidinburgh Festival money that means they won‘t kick you out until five in the morning). but it also features an impressive array of the finest quality live local talent and indie DJ stars.
Yet the aim of ()lum. says its co-promoter Peter Rooney. is to set about beginning a truly international affair. one which belies the Scots flavour of this opening double. ‘The idea came about when l was at a festival in Austria.‘ he explains. ‘I put on a bunch of bands there while we were DJing. Marc [Lawson] and l were talking at the time. and we thought it would be a good idea to do something similar ourselves. to run an international club night.
‘So these are the launch nights. but we‘ll be taking Olum to Paris. Berlin. Barcelona and Amsterdam next year. Whether we actually run it full-time in Scotland kind of depends how these ones go. but we‘re hopeful they‘ll do well given the line-ups. And the T on the Fringe connection. it‘s just lucky that I know the guys who run T on the Fringe through promoting bands. and that they were up for us hooking tip with them.‘
Not only does ()lum (which. apparently. is the legend at the bottom of Turkish hazard warning signs. fitting in with the ‘living on the edge vibe' that
74 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 1'. i 1 Aug 200:”)
‘IT'S A GOOD VALUE NIGHT FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO FIND I A GOOD TIME'
Rooney says the club is trying to engender) benefit from Lawson‘s Deatbkill 4()()() connections. but also Rootic‘)"s position as founder of west coast indie Adorno Records. Between the pair of them. they‘ve managed to source an array of bands. DJs and even leftfield dance troupe Suicide (iirls to fill the extended hours the Festival allows.
"l‘he line-up's kind of Scotland-centred over both nights.‘ says Rooney. ‘but it‘s based around putting on things we really like. For the first night. for example.
we‘ve got [Chemikal L'nderground—signed duo] Sluts of
Trust. who are one of the most creative and challenging rock bands to come out of Scotland in a while. We also have Motormark — who are on Alec limpire’s label Digital Hardcore — and Loss Leader. He‘s a one man band with a guitar and a drum machine. It‘s like Joy Division meets (iodspeed! You Black limperor but you can dance to
Appearing on the l8th will be Titus (iein (‘the Flash (iordon soundtrack covered by Iron Maiden‘. apparently). Data Panik (the reformed and renamed Bis) and Berlin experimentalists Smatka Molot. with liighties Matchbox B-line Disaster lending DJ support on the llth. and Sons and Daughters‘ Ailidh Lennon on the 18111.
‘In the end.~ says Rooney. ‘it‘s not about anything as pretentious as a “scene”. or getting hung tip on something like a dress code. It‘s just a good value night for anyone who wants to find a good time.’
Club Olum, Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Thu 1 1 Aug & Thu 18 Aug. Part of T On The Fringe: see our Offers Page for ticket giveaways.
FESTIVAL CLUBS
‘Part of the joy of dancing is conversation. Trouble is, some men can't talk and dance at the same time.‘ Ginger Rogers
Modern Lovers We all know Chris Geddes for his fine work with indie popsters Belle & Sebastian. but perhaps his deck-spinning talents are less well known outside the clubbing fraternity. The fan of northern soul and rare grooves has just been to the US so his box should be brimming with obscure treats. Ego, 478 7434, Fri 5 Aug, 77pm—3am, £6.
Sugarbeat What better way to wind down after the fast and furious Prodigy live experience than listening to a ripped-up dark tech scratch-up from former member Leeroy Thornhill? Keep the night alive with this afterparty at Utah Saints' monthly mash-up. Cabaret Voltaire, 220 67 76, Fri 5 Aug, 77.30pm—3am. £7.
Tokyoblu it‘s their third birthday. so the DJ/live collective will be turning up the dials on their usual floor filling show. Taking house as their basis. the Tokyoqu band take an expansive approach to create one funked up package. Billy Woods (Outer Drive) is also over for some guest action. The Venue, 557 3073, Fri 5 Aug,
70. 30pm—3am, £5 before midnight; E 7 (£5) after.
Musotica The mighty fine resident team (that includes Pure's Brainstorm) are joined by techno luminary Luke Slater (Novamute). His production work of late has taken a definite 80s electro vibe so expect some retro flavours through his set. The Venue, 557 3073, Sat 6Aug, I Ipm—5am, £70 (£8 members).
Club Olum The first in two dates from the nice folk at T on the Fringe. Live acts and DJ sets collide for a night of indie flavoured goodness. Motormark. Sluts of Trust and Loss Leader are live with a DJ set from the disturbed 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster, not forgetting in-house dancers the Suicide Girls. Cabaret Vo/taire. 220 6776, Thu 77 Aug,
7 0pm—5am, £9.